Show TOC

Remote Function CallsLocate this document in the navigation structure

Remote Function Calls (RFC) is the standard SAP interface for communication between two SAP systems, or between an SAP system and an external system, and calls a function to be executed in a remote system.

The RFC data source contains remote function modules from which you can map selected operations and fields to construct a Data Model. The Data Model Generator then automatically generates the PS (Public Solution) and DC (Data Centric) models and the mapping metadata required by SAP Gateway.

The RFC data source displays on the left-hand side of the Data Model Generator screen and the Data Model details display on the right-hand side:

When the Data Model Generator opens with RFC as the data source, the RFC display on the left is initially empty because there are too many function modules to display.

Select the binoculars icon to restrict the RFC display to function modules you wish to map. You can also search for a particular function module by name.

In the popup that opens, enter a number in Maximum No. of Hits to determine the maximum number of function modules you wish to display and select the green check mark to continue.

You can also search for a particular function module by entering its name in the Function Module field. You can use the wildcard character * to aid your search, for example, you can search on *bank*. The function module(s) for which you searched then appear in the RFC section (left-hand side of the screen).

To identify the RFC modules and entities that can be used in the Data Model Generator tool, see Data Model Generator Support for Data Sources.

Getting Started in RFC

You can quickly create a Data Model from a function module or BAPI for use as a service in SAP Gateway.

The following is an overview of the tasks for generating a Data Model based on RFC data sources:

  1. Create your Data Model using RFC as your data source.

    For more information, see Selecting the Data Source.

  2. Map the data entities in the selected function module or BAPI to specific operation types in your Data Model.

    For more information, see Creating the Mapping.

  3. Set keys for the mapped operations. For more information, see Assigning Keys to Operations.

  4. Generate the Data Model.

    For more information, see Generating the PS and DS Data Models.

  5. Add your model to a Consumption Model.

    For more information, see Manually Add Your Model to a Consumption Model.

  6. Manually configure the system alias for the service document.

    For more information, see Configuring the System Alias for your Service Document.

Optionally, check and test the generated service.

To create a Data Model using the Data Model Generator tool and to test the generated SAP Gateway service, see SAP Gateway Generators Cookbook.